Hear from Rebecca Kuemmerle, an Illustration Junior, with a Business Minor at Moore College of Art & Design. Learn about her experiences after winning the Sis Grenald Leadership Fellowship, (0:08) traveling to Kansas City Missouri to attend the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live conference with Fantasy Artist Donato Giancola, (0:14) leadership fellowship skills and experiences, (0:26) things valuable things she's learning in the Moore Business Scholars in the Arts program, (0:57) thinking and planning on how to be successful business leaders, (1:19) how the business minor has educated her that all artists are business owners and need to know how to properly market themselves, (1:50) the skills learned in her entrepreneurial class and the confidence that she's prepared when she graduates from Moore, (2:11) thinking about being a woman in a new way, a female leader and business owner creating success for the nation. (2:40)

Special thanks to:

Donato Giancola - From J.R.R. Tolkiens' 'The Lord of the Rings' to Botticellis' 'La Primivera', Donato Giancola balances modern concepts with realism in his paintings to bridge the worlds of contemporary and historical figurative arts. His influences encompass performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as well as pilgrimages to the greatest of museums - including the Uffizzi, Prado, Louvre and Hermitage. Donato recognizes the significant cultural role played by visual art and makes personal efforts to contribute to the expansion and appreciation of painting that extend beyond his clients and exhibits. To those ends, the artist teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and appears at various institutions, seminars, and conventions, from San Diego to Rome to Moscow, where he performs demonstrations in oil paint and lectures on his aesthetics. http://www.donatoart.com

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live Conference - Spectrum Live is a high-energy showcase for the best and brightest in the fantasy and science fiction art community. It brings together artists, industry professionals and fans. It's a show for everyone. For artists, both established and aspiring, and fans of art. For people who love movies, video games, tabletop gaming, RPGs, card games and more. For fans of comics, science fiction, fantasy and any genre that has ever had an art component. https://spectrumfantasticartlive.com

If you told Lucy Smith seven years ago that she would be doing burlesque, she never would have believed you.

Then a shy and introverted student at West Chester University, she had a love of theater and the arts, but wasn’t comfortable with her body.

“I had done theater all of my life,” Smith said. “Although I wasn’t always comfortable in my personal life, I liked the attention I got on stage. On stage I could be myself.”

After graduating with a BA in Theater in 2011, Smith decided to pursue a more stable career and enrolled in the Illustration program at Delaware College of Art & Design (DCAD). There, she said she was inspired by a fellow student to be more open and friendly. She developed more confidence and became more comfortable with herself.

Smith, now 25, has come a long way.

After graduating from DCAD with an Associate’s degree in 2013, she came to Moore to complete her BFA in Illustration. Today, as a junior, Smith is the founder of The Sexuality Club at Moore, as well as an active burlesque performer.

The Sexuality Club started in 2014 as “an outlet for Moore women to focus on self-love and self-acceptance,” and as a “respite from the negative messages in the media,” Smith said. The club hosts speakers and workshops, but the most popular event is the burlesque show, which takes place once a semester. Smith performs in the popular show as well as with burlesque groups outside of school.

“There has been a lot of positive feedback from the Moore community and outside the Moore community,” she said. Past club events have included two guest speakers who spoke on sexuality and gender issues. Upcoming events include Burlesque 101 with performer Tesla Tease (March 24 at 7 pm) and a belly dance workshop with Kim Infiniti on April 23, 2015 at 7 pm in Stewart Auditorium.

Burlesque, defined as “a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter,” is an integral part of sexuality, so the two go together, Smith said.

“If there was no sexuality in burlesque it would just be comedic dancing,” she said. “Putting on a burlesque performance is a way for people to come to terms with creative expression of their own sexuality. My definition of sexuality is something incredibly inviting and feminine, lots of girly outfits, pretty shoes and lace.”

Smith currently performs with “The Whiskey Kittens” and "Envoute: Magic & Burlesque,” both in the Philadelphia area. She performs twice a month at different venues, from The Trocadero to the Penn Museum. She said learning burlesque is equal parts natural skill, comedic timing and “watching and learning.”

“I would learn from past performers, watch YouTube videos, listen to music and come up with my own choreography,” she said.

Her first opportunity to perform came after a role in the “Rocky Horror Puppet Show” in Philadelphia a few years ago. The director suggested she check out a burlesque show. She liked what she saw and started out as a makeup artist for Envoute ‘s Halloween show. After being asked if she would like to perform, she decided to give it a try.

“I made this little dress and bra and put peppermint-like buttons on it and candy colored trim,” she said. “The fabric was cupcakes on a pink background and I wore little pink shoes. I danced to the song ‘Candy’ by Mandy Moore and wore a pink wig. Everyone thought I did well, so that propelled me forward.”

Smith also became more invested in her education at Moore. She had always pursued drawing as a hobby and was very into anime and manga. She didn’t realize she could do so much with an Illustration degree, such as animation, concept art, even some aspects of graphic design.

“I literally thought I would be drawing comic books all day,” she said. “Moore showed me all the different things I could accomplish with my degree, so it was a good decision. I want to be an art director or creative director one day.”

Smith said that she came to Moore because of its strong career focus and its unique internship program. She also liked that Moore was an all-women’s college.

“I like the sense of community from the fellow students,” she said. “The faculty and staff also advise students to pursue what they want to do instead of what everyone else is doing. The nurturing of individuality is what helps us go far. We end up supporting each other.”

For more information on The Sexuality Club, contact Lucy at lsmith@moore.edu
View Lucy's Illustration work on Behance
View her personal portfolio here
View more artwork on her Facebook page

PhilaMOCA is an art gallery and event space that shows movies, video game tournaments, bands and art shows. When I was working in the Career Center, I heard they were having an Eraserhead (a David Lynch film) inspired art competition and I considered going because it is a lot of stuff I’m interested in – Philadelphia bands, movie screenings, etc. I helped out at shows at the front desk taking admissions. I had the opportunity to make two posters for two different shows. I did murals outside in August.

I loved the internship at PhilaMOCA and all of the projects I got to do. I think it’s great that all students have paid required internships.

I learned new skills by designing the posters.. They showed me templates and taught me what printers expect. I was able to work with audio and lighting for all the concerts.. I’m also doing a poster for a Neil Diamond show that they have coming up.

I am interested in doing character design after I graduate. I would love to go out to California and make the characters that they use in movies

Illustration major Blakely Inberg talks about how the Jane Walentas Travel Fellowship allowed for her to travel to Seoul, Korea and Tokyo, Japan and explore the anime and cartoon culture of those cities. She then expands upon the impact those experiences have had on her work and the plans she has for her senior thesis.

That’s the name of the illustrated food blog the Moore alum has created reflecting her (mostly) sweet tooth and foodie philosophy.

Lenton, a 2011 graduate with an Illustration major and a minor in Graphic Design, creates original illustrations of food or beverages and her photographer fiancé Robert Corneliusphotographs the work for her blog.

Lenton sells prints of her illustrations on her Etsy page with links to the blog item describing the work.

Each illustration takes about five to seven hours to complete on weekends and evenings. Between writing, editing, making the recipe and doing the photo shoot, her more elaborate posts can take between 12 to 15 hours to finish.

“My last two years of college I started getting really interested in food, mainly when I had to start cooking for myself,” she said. “I started reading a lot of food blogs and cookbooks and fell in love with them. As a visual person, I’m not interested in reading a food blog unless it’s pretty and has good photography. I thought that creating my own blog would be a good way to create personal (illustration) work again while talking about another passion of mine – food.”

Lenton is also passionate about giving back to the College that helped nurture her talents. For that reason, from now until September 22, 2014, she is donating 50 percent of the profits from her Etsy shop to the Visionary Woman Scholarships for young female artists at Moore.

The Visionary Woman Awards, an annual event that recognizes women whose lives and careers have made a significant impact on the visual arts, will be held on September 23, 2014. The honorees include curatorial consultant and educator Helen W. Drutt English, painter Janet Fish and fashion designer Nicole Miller.

The awards hold special meaning for Lenton. She received a Visionary Woman Scholarship which allowed her to attend Moore. Ninety-five percent of students receive some form of scholarship money to attend the College.

“I applied to 11 schools and got into all of them,” she said. “Moore was my first choice, but at that point I didn’t know if I could go. Then I found out I had received the scholarship and that sealed the deal. Had I not received it, I probably wouldn’t have been able to go to Moore.”

During her time at Moore, Lenton was a resident assistant and a member of student government. When she graduated, she was named an Alumni Representative on the Board of Managers.

Lenton said she was recently listening to a podcast about giving back. She knew she wanted to contribute to Moore but didn’t necessarily have the financial means to do so. Then she had an idea.

“I’m trying to grow my Etsy shop,” she said. “Several people said they had been thinking of purchasing a print and would do it for the fundraiser. I thought it would be a good way to promote my blog and shop and promote the fundraiser. It’s kind of a win-win.”

When she’s not hard at work at her blog, illustrations or planning her August wedding, Lenton works as a graphic artist at Gingrich Memorials, a monument business in Middletown, PA. There, she does custom hand etchings on gravestones. It’s a 180 degree turn from her previous job designing ads for theLebanon (PA) Daily News.

“It’s really neat and a perfect blend of the skills I have with illustration and graphic design,” she said. “I’m doing artwork on gravestones that people appreciate so much and it will literally be around forever because it’s etched in granite.”

It took time for Lenton to familiarize herself with the tools she had to use for her job, including the “diamond tipped Dremel tool” and a laser machine.

“They were surprised I caught on so quickly but I think a lot of it had to do with the way we learned to draw in the Illustration department at Moore,” she said. “You’re just looking at shapes and values. It’s just drawing with a different medium. It’s not a big deal. You just don’t want to mess up.”

On any given week as a freelance illustrator and storyboard artist in Southern California, she works on a variety of projects, from concept art to storyboarding, as well as creative consulting and finished illustrations in the worlds of entertainment, fashion, television, film, publishing – even the video game industry.

Most recently, Zelnick, who graduated from Moore in 1989 with a fashion illustration degree, did all the promotional art for the cast of NBC’s new series "Dracula", starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the legendary vampire.

“This was an unusual project for NBC in that they had a larger than normal art budget and wanted to create imagery that didn’t look like the usual promo for a TV show,” she said. “That brought us a challenging problem to solve. We thought wouldn’t it be great to make something that felt like a steam punk Dracula and something that felt a bit like tarot cards and fashion editorial? We combined those three aspects into a holy trinity of fashion, tarot and Victorian style.”

Some of Zelnick’s other client projects include Mattel, Proctor and Gamble, Grande Marnier liqueur and Ghirardelli chocolate. She also specializes in Key Art, the art of movie marketing campaigns, including movie posters, one-sheets, trailers, teasers, television spots and outdoor and internet advertising.

Zelnick attributes her career success to name recognition and having a good professional agent. “It becomes a full time job to promote yourself,” she said. “Being in connection with somebody that can help you do that is a smart thing.”

She is represented by the woman-owned and operated agency Famous Frames, which specializes in storyboards, shooting boards, concept and comp art, illustration and full-service cinematic, animatic and board-o-matic production.

“I love the variety my career brings and the fact that on Monday I could be working on a car commercial, Tuesday might be a film or a TV project and by Wednesday I might be doing in-store designs for a fashion company,” she said. “Each day is something different and I enjoy being my own boss as opposed to clocking in under someone else every day.”

Zelnick, who addressed Moore students at Convocation 2011, recently published a book titled, “The Art School Grad’s Guide to the Real World,” available through Amazon.com.

“It’s essentially a small volume of tricks to the trade,” she said. “Key things I have realized like having a strong handshake, making eye contact, you don’t really learn in life drawing class. While I found that you come out of art school with a great education, it’s the people skills and job hunting skills that sometimes need to be further developed. So I put together a little book that would emphasize those skills.”

As a student, Zelnick said she was attracted to Moore because of the history of the school and its prime location in the city. “I thought it sounded like a cool place, I took a tour and fell in love with the neighborhood, people and work I saw in the studio rooms and on the walls,” she said. “It emotionally felt right. It was comfortable, like home. Moore was a wonderful experience.”

I wanted to be with men. I always thought women weren’t as competitive as men. I felt like going to school with men would be more like the real world. But eventually Moore began to work out for me. I found that the women were just as competitive as the men would be.

It was the Depression, and unless you could get a scholarship, you really couldn’t afford to go to art school. I had a full scholarship from the Philadelphia Board of Education. Some of the officials already knew my work.

Once I arrived, I fell in love with the small size of the College and the quality of the faculty at Moore. I remember Henry Snell, a painting instructor, who came to class in a surgical white jacket and used a long stick to point out a student’s work without touching it.

He stood behind me one day, pointed at my work and said, “Well, my dear, I think you’re going to be a portrait artist.” It stunned me. I had no idea…I loved doing portraits but I wanted to do other things too, so the Illustration [major] worked out.

In my last year at Moore, I got a job at night in a small printer’s shop where they were introducing offset printing.

I saw an ad in the newspaper saying they needed someone who could come and do drawings and paste-ups. So I did that job after school.

Shortly after that, an opportunity came up with the Sunday Evening Post that changed my life.

There was one day a week at The Curtis Publishing Company where the Post opened their doors and the art editor would invite you to come in and show him ideas for cov­ers, so I began doing that, and they bought several of my ideas. And the editor finally said, “Now look Miriam, we bought a num­ber of your cover [ideas], would you like to do a finished cover yourself?” I finally finished it, and they bought it.

Once the cover appeared in the Post, I got a call from an agent who said, “Come to New York, we can get you all the work you want.” So I left for New York, and that’s where I arrived in 1944.

I began doing illustrations for maga­zines and journals, including a major client, Woman’s Day magazine. I called them “my meal ticket,” my bread and butter account. They paid the rent.

For three weeks in October 1953, I was one of a half-dozen members of the Society of Illustrators (and the only woman) who traveled to Korea to sketch portraits of mili­tary personnel stationed in the war zone.

It was like art school where you had endless models. One after the other they lined up, with their hair slicked back and their clothes pressed. The original drawings were sent to their family and I would get letters back, thanking me.

I have taught art, written about art history for the Smithsonian and Harvard magazines, exhibited and won prizes in national and international art shows and illustrated and written for The New York Times, Fortune and other national publica­tions. More than a dozen of my portraits are included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

Perhaps one of the prizes I’m most proud of is the one I established myself at Moore in 1995 – The Miriam Troop ’38 Portrait Prize.

At Apeman Studios, I worked on an animated film that will debut at the Cannes Film Festival. For Stanton Studios, I did digital touch ups of characters from a children's book for an animated show. I learned many different aspects of the animation industry—the field I intend to work in. Both my digital drawing skills and my networking skills improved.

I was also able to attend the biggest animation film festival in the world, Annecy Film Festival in France, where I met other animations students, animators, and producers. In that one week alone I learned more about the animation industry than I’d known before.

She was a struggling artist who became a published author through talent, hard work, and the inability to take “no” for an answer.

Ignatow, an Illustration alumna who lives in Mt. Airy, PA., is best known as the author and illustrator of the New York Times-reviewed children’s book series, The Popularity Papers.

Her first book in the seven-book series, The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang, was published by Amulet Books in 2010. A second and third book followed in 2011, a fourth in 2012 and a fifth and sixth book last year. The seventh and final book in the series is due out in September.

“I love doing this work so much,” she said. “I live in fear of not being able to do it. And I get tremendous publisher support. I want to keep doing this for the rest of my life. So I keep working very fast. If you wait too long between books and it’s a series, the kids might lose interest.”

The Popularity Papers are about two best friends, Lydia and Julie. The books begin when the characters are in the fifth grade and they have a year to go before starting middle school. They want to be popular and they observe the girls who are already popular and try to emulate them. Both characters keep a journal to document the process and “wackiness ensues,” Ignatow said.

“The story progresses from them being overly obsessed with popularity through middle school, where they gain survival skills,” she said. “The seventh book with be the end of seventh grade. It’s fun. I’ve gotten a lot of letters from kids who relate to the characters. It’s really about lifelong friendships.”

Ignatow joked that her next book title is just going to be “initials,” since each book in The Popularity Papers series has an extra long title. “We thought it was hilarious at the time but didn’t realize how much I’d be typing,” she said. “The main characters have an inflated sense of self.”

After graduating from Moore in 2002, Ignatow had numerous part-time teaching jobs and spent two years as a stationery designer. She taught cartooning and portfolio prep at Moore’s Young Artist Workshop and the Summer Art & Design Institute. She started an online cartoon called “Ig City,” a “humorous observational look at the day-to-day life of a 20-something recent graduate in Center City.” The cartoon got the attention of a literary agent, who asked Ignatow if she ever thought about writing for kids.

“I had been doing all this biographical stuff up to that point, but when the agent suggested writing for kids the ideas began to flow and I realized that’s where I’m most comfortable,” Ignatow said. She landed her first book deal in 2008.

Originally from Long Island, NY, Ignatow transferred to Moore from SUNY Oneonta. “Going to an all-women’s college was attractive to me because I wanted to feel comfortable doing my work without any drama or distractions,” she said. “The camaraderie I felt with my classmates still supports me, and it’s no wonder that The Popularity Papers is an ode to lasting female friendship.”

While at Moore, Ignatow helped produce the student-run publication now known as Moremagazine.

“My experience at Moore was incredibly positive,” she said. “I felt like I was supported by the faculty, who I’ve kept in touch with. When I got my first contract I went to them for advice.”

So what’s next for Ignatow? She’s contracted to complete The Popularity Papers and write two additional books in a brand new series.

“To be a working artist where I’m bringing in a real income on a regular basis doing exactly what I love and went to school for is incredibly satisfying,” she said.

Moore is amazing. It's a great place to learn to see and think as an artist. That's one of the most important things I try to impress upon my students — being able to see and think as an artist is just as important as being able to draw, paint or design. You see, when you sharpen you artistic vision, the results in your work will amaze you.

Moore is a place unlike any other. By keeping the classes small, we're able to work individually with each student, develop their skills and watch them flourish. It's been a wonderful experience to see students I initially met at National Portfolio Days come to Moore, grow as artists, graduate and then come back to visit as professional artists. These young women have gone from being my students to my colleagues.

I draw cartoons for a living. I'm lucky I'm able to make a living doing what I love. And I'm even luckier that I'm helping others achieve the same goal.

Something about Moore just stood out among the others, something about it just ‘clicked’ with me, the idea of attending Moore seemed so natural. I feel part of a close knit community and it feels just as much as a family as it does a school. I love the idea of smaller classes, allowing professors to get to know you on a more personal level. With that I feel as if they can better understand you as a student and as a developing artist. This environment has helped me grow more in my first year of college than I could ever have hoped for. I feel safe here, and I know that everyone is looking after one another and working together to grow together as artists.

There are certain aspects of Moore that definitely make it stand out amongst the rest of the art schools in Philly. Probably the most prominent being the fact that it is an all-women’s college, and this is something that I did not see very much of when I first started looking at schools. This wasn’t the main reason for deciding to go to Moore, but it was certainly a plus that I did not truly learn the benefits of it until I spent some time here. Being in a class room filled with fellow girls is a completely different experience, there is a stronger sense of connection and communication between us. We all know the struggles that we are going to face as women in the art field, and since it is an all girl’s school, Moore has the opportunity to focus on those issues that will help us get ahead once we graduate. Not only does the school look out for us, but we look out for one another as well. As a student who lives on campus, I frequently leave the building, day and night. We take care of one another, walk with each other, and make sure we’re back when we said we would be. It’s the little things that make you feel secure. We are all just so casual with one another, in and out of class. We are all women, and feel like we can talk opening about anything to one another. And I have come to notice that sometimes during class, it’ll dawn on me that there are no men around. You forget sometimes, because it just feels so normal. We are not only there because we are women, we are there because we are artists, and that is what matters.

There are so many aspects to look at when deciding on your education, but Moore seemed like an obvious choice to me. Moore is located heart of Philadelphia, yet almost tucked away from the overwhelming feeling of being in a ‘big city’ by being so close to the museum district. Anyone can tell that Moore is passionate about its role as an all women’s’ art college. They focus on everyone in hopes that they all will achieve their dream, and I feel confident that they will help me achieve mine.

It is hard to choose favorite classes, but my Digital Painting course at the moment really stands out. Before this year, I had never used a tablet before, and I had dreaded the idea of any digital course. But I absolutely love all of it. It is challenging yet amazing what can be created digitally. It has completely opened my eyes to the possibilities of art.

I am proud to be considered part of ELA (Emerging Leaders in the Arts), it has changed me already and I know it will continue to do so. I do hope to become part of other activities and organizations during my sophomore year, but that will have to wait for now.

As for the fact that I am attending a school in Philadelphia, who wouldn’t want to spend their time in one of the oldest and most historic cities around? There is art on every corner of every street. There are new cultures to see and taste. And there is just so much to do and experience here that one can never get bored.

I chose Moore for several reasons, one being the small student-to-teacher ratio. I like that the classes are small and each student and their work is treated individually. Moore's location in Center City Philadelphia was also a deciding factor because it allows me to explore the city. I also looked into Moore's classes thoroughly and found their Illustration major to be one that seems to encompass all the skills that I'll need once I graduate. Lastly, I chose Moore because when I came here for various events and workshops, everyone seemed genuinely happy that I was there. Even when applying, I felt like the school really wanted me and valued my work, which is the greatest feeling.

While attending an all-women’s school wasn’t a stipulation I sought out when applying to colleges, I was immediately taken with the idea when seeking out more information about Moore College of Art & Design. I found the element of an all-female school to be more beneficial and it was one of the deciding factors when applying to Moore.

Having the school be opened to just women has allowed me to find my voice as an artist and a woman. I feel that there is a level of unspoken but mutual respect between my peers that allows me to feel comfortable to participate in class discussions and integrate myself into the community.

Moore creates an environment that pushes me to be vocal and independent, which are aspects that I apply to my life outside of the school. Women’s colleges known the struggles that only women can face and knowing that on a general, simple level, others can relate to your own personal experience and guide you is a very empowering thing.

Moore College has helped -- and continues to help -- find my voice an artist and a woman. I owe that all to a school that forges leaders and prepares its students for the real world where they are in control and independent.

I was awarded the Iva and Joe Samost Scholarship. It means so much to me and to my family because it means I can pursue my career and passion. Education is a huge investment -- especially a good one like the one Moore provides -- so knowing that I'm taken care of allows me to focus entirely on my work.

Besides the wonderful friendships and contacts I've made at Moore already, the classes themselves are enjoyable and challenging. This year first-year students are allowed to take a "drop-down" class or elective that pertains to their major and intended Illustration majors take a digital painting course which is what I'm doing. I love that Moore let's you take this one upper-level course during your Foundation year to help you experiment and get a feel for what your major is like. I enjoy my Foundation drawing class as well, especially the digital aspect, where we integrate the iPads and use apps such as Sketchbook Pro and Asketch to draw on them, simulating traditional mediums.

I currently work at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, as the Gallery Manager. I also work at the Main Line Art Center in Haverford, PA, where I'm a Gallery Assistant. Besides that, I'm always trying to work on expanding my portfolio. It's really important when looking for clients and freelance opportunities to keep a fresh portfolio. I recently found out I was accepted into the Society of Illustrators show in May, and I'm looking forward to that as an opportunity to network and add to my freelance jobs. Working two jobs can make it difficult, but I try to find time to dedicate to augmenting my work and getting it out there for others to see. I'm lucky that my jobs are in the art field, and keep me connected and networking with artists.

While I was at Moore, being at an all-women's school automatically made me feel very comfortable. The student body is like a big family in a lot of ways - it's a very unique environment. I think women are great at pushing one another to do their best- we want our friends to succeed, but we are also innately competitive. We support each other and help each other to grow, while challenging one another to outdo ourselves. I definitely blossomed in this environment.

I was one of the Penny Fox Internship Fellowship students and interned at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the United States Department of Agriculture. I learned a lot about the process of scientific illustration, something I'm still very interested in. The techniques I learned that summer still inform my aesthetic of illustration, which tends to allude to vintage biological or medical illustrations. That was the first time I really combined digital and traditional techniques, which is how I work today.

My work, which can be seen at my website: www.marilynfoehrenbach.com is a kind of modern, sometimes fantastical, tribute to scientific illustration. I'm a naturalist at heart, and I like to use plants and animals in all of my illustrations. There is so much symbolism in nature, and it works really well for editorial illustration.

When I start an illustration, I work with paper and pencil. I retrace a cleaner image and then take it in to Photoshop. I work over this drawing digitally, while maintaining the integrity of the original sketch. That's pretty important to me. I like my work to have modern and traditional qualities.

I have so many great memories of Moore. My favorite times would be the late nights in the studios. Everyone is so dedicated to their work at Moore, and spending so much time together in a studio, working on projects, you become very close with the people in your major.

My advice for Moore students would be to stay true to your passions. Remember that school is about learning. You have the freedom to experiment at this point and find out what you really want to do. Do not be afraid of making mistakes. This is the most opportune time to fail and re-evaluate. Make a lot of mistakes and use that as opportunity to figure out your process. The teachers at Moore are very dedicated and will help you. So don't be afraid to ask for help. It took me a while to realize that it was okay to be unhappy with the results of some projects, because those mess-ups lead to a better understanding of what will be successful.

Also, I would highly recommend taking advantage of the leadership programs that Moore offers. Moore students have the option of being very involved, and this was incredibly advantageous to my development as an independent person, professional, and artist. I learned a significant amount about management, administration, and being involved in the arts from a different perspective than that of the artist.

I'm currently pursuing my MFA at The Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont. I am working towards a degree in Comics writing, production, and cartooning. CCS is known for being one of the most intensive comics focused programs in the existence. Only 20 students are accepted to CCS each year and the faculty includes award winning graphic novelists such as James Sturm, Stephen Bissette, Jason Lutes, and Alex Longstreth. I am very lucky to be attending school here. Many thanks to Moore for helping me prepare such a great portfolio!

I am still working as a freelance designer while attending school full time. My clients include Boco Digital Media, LLC and Frank Agostino, as well as several small businesses local to Philadelphia. I'm currently trying to devote as much time to my comics as possible though!

I loved attending an all-women’s college! Comics are still considered a male dominated industry, but Moore teaches young women to set their goals high and become great leaders in their field. I gained a lot of confidence from attending Moore and am determined to publish a comic within the next few years. I continue to have a great support system of Moore instructors and alums.

I interned at three places while at Moore - The Academy of Natural Sciences, Marvel Entertainment, and Networks Plus, LLC. All of my internships were very valuable in different ways, but my Marvel internship helped me get accepted into CCS. Marvel taught me the basics of comic production, which has given me an advantage during my studies here. I am really glad Moore pushed me to go after an internship at Marvel!

During my time at Moore, I mostly focused on Digital Painting and Web Design, but now I'm focusing entirely on comics. I've completed quite a few mini-comics since graduating from Moore and am currently working on a larger series about a paranormal town in Vermont. After the semester ends, I'll be devoting all my time on writing, drawing, and publishing my thesis comic, which is due in May of next year in order to graduate.

My advice to Moore students would be to take advantage of Moore's and Philadelphia's resources while you can. During the year that I took in between graduating Moore and moving to Vermont, I really missed being able to access all of Moore's studio space, the computers/software, and the INSTRUCTORS (The illustration and graphic design instructors are the most helpful, amazing people ever! Get to know them well!) Also I heard Moore has a 3D printer and laser cutter now? So jealous!

Philadelphia is an amazing city full of art museums and galleries that should be explored while you have the chance! There are some amazing artists, designers, and studios stationed in Philadelphia. It's a great city for comic artists too - Philly is the home of Retrofit Comics, Philly Alternative Comic Con, Wizard World, South Fellini, Locust Moon, Brave New Worlds, Philly Comic Jam, and so much more!

I am currently working at The Philadelphia Gas Works as a Creative Designer. My work can be seen around the city in the various marketing campaigns that the company puts out each year. I am fortunate to be able to use both my illustration and design skills when creating campaigns and graphics for the company. I also do freelance work, including invitation design for weddings and corporate logos, stationary and promotional materials.

While at Moore, I did an internship with at NexGen RxMarketing. The internship prepared me for the professional work flow that you do not get to experience when working in class. The pace is certainly a lot quicker in the "real world" and I find as a designer you are sometimes pulled in many different ways. The internship experience also helped me learn how to separate myself from my work. In college I was used to doing work for myself and choosing a subject matter that I was comfortable with. This is not always the case when doing work for a client.

My favorite memories at Moore were definitely with my friends. I got married last September and I had three Moore girls in my wedding. I still see my old college roommate almost once a week for dinner! The "all women community" really helped me come out of my shell and build friendships around other women that were just like me. Outside of class, we enjoyed the city and all of the culture, shopping, and night life it had to offer. I also really enjoyed my time with my professors in the Illustration department. I could always rely on Rich Harrington to give me that push that I needed to get my projects to the next level. He was so positive and encouraging which is what I needed when developing my style as an illustrator/designer.

My advice to current or future Moore students: enjoy your time while you are at Moore and try to soak up all of the knowledge that is being given to you. There is so much talent within the faculty at Moore that they will be able to guide you to making good decisions in you work and ultimately your career as an artist. Listen to them, they are almost always right!

I did graphic design and marketing work for a few years after I graduated. I decided to pursue a masters degree in English Literature. After I received my masters I beganI working at the Miami Arts Charter School, teaching AP English Literature and AP English Language and Composition. The school is focused on education in the visual and performing arts for young adults. I really enjoy being around so many creative young people--they have a lot of passion!

While I was studying for my masters degree, I became interested in fairy tales and folklore and wrote a few children's stories. I will continue to write more stories, develop, and illustrate them as my schedule allows.

My favorite memories of Moore consist of getting involved in student leadership; I really loved being able to help other students and welcome new students at the start of the year.

My advice for Moore students would be to relax and explore all that Moore has to offer. Try out clubs, activities, student leadership and classes outside of your major. Moore really has a lot to offer if you're willing to come out of your shell and give it a try.

I am currently working as a freelance illustrator focusing on book covers and children’s books. I am also a portrait painter and gallery artist. I teach English in South Korea, because I love living abroad and the children are wonderful.

I really enjoyed my internship in the Design Department of Roli Books in New Delhi, India. I learned a lot about book design and the in-office politics of a publishing company. Moore also granted me a travel fellowship that allowed me to spend an extra month in India teaching and volunteering at an orphanage for HIV positive children. Thanks to having these two experiences side by side in the same summer I learned that I find working with children much more fulfilling than spending time at a computer doing book design. Many of my peers love design work, but for me as a children’s book illustrator I find working with children more rewarding. I am grateful I didn’t pursue jobs in design after I graduated and instead chose to travel, teach and begin my freelance illustration career.

I paint almost exclusively in oils because I love the rich complexity of the medium and the variety of techniques it facilitates. It allows me to represent a recognizable natural world, while at the same time increasing interest and emotional impact with brush strokes, textures and glazes. It is important to me to paint naturalistically because I want my paintings to be able to communicate with as wide a range of people as possible, reaching across differences in culture, age, personality and knowledge.

My advice to current and future Moore students is to work hard, to get everything you can out of the opportunity to study at Moore, but also make sure you enjoy every minute of it.

I am a specialist on antique and contemporary Japanese graphics. I began my career with a brief turn in the Art Department of The Washington Post. Following this, I spent nine years in Geneva, Switzerland, living with my husband and daughter, where I studied painting while continuing to work as a commercial artist. Upon the family’s return to the US, I created ecclesiastical needlepoint designs for churches and synagogues.

In the 1970s, a trip to Japan inspired me and my husband, Gilbert, to study and collect antique and contemporary Japanese prints. This collection formed the foundation for the Gilbert Luber Gallery we opened in 1976 – the first of its kind in the Philadelphia area. Though the gallery closed in the late 1990s, I still travel to Japan and sell prints from my home and through my website. I also organize exhibitions of selected work from the collection, most recently at Midori Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL, and at the Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania. I am the president of Japan Group II, an organization interested in Japanese arts and culture, and am a member of the Japan American Society of Greater Philadelphia. I am an active member and curator of several exhibitions at the Cosmopolitan Club, Philadelphia, and a volunteer at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. At Moore, I am a board member of the Alumnae Association, and have lectured about Japanese prints and shared my expertise with students. I also serve on the Advisory Board of The Art Shop at Moore.

Art is everything to me! I have been lucky enough to have a diverse, inventive and resourceful career. After graduating from Moore as an illustration major, I began working as an illustrator and an art teacher. I then became an editor for Random House, where I eventually was a research assistant, illustrator and photo stylist for Costume Jewelry by Harrice Simons Miller. While collecting and selling vintage clothing in NY, I published Collecting Vintage Fashion & Fabrics, 1995, Alliance Publishing, Inc.

I later received an MFA from Seton Hall University in Museum Professions with an emphasis in costume and textile studies. I also did graduate work at the Fashion Institute of Technology, William Paterson University and the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts. I interned at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in costumes and textiles and stayed to work at The Costume Institute. During this time, I also worked as a curator at several museums in New Jersey.

I found my art education at Moore to be invaluable in the careers I chose, in forming friendships, and in keeping balance and harmony in my life. From my days at Moore to the present, I have nurtured and maintained strong, close relationships with classmates. I believe the best way to pay it forward is to give back. In March 2007, I endowed a scholarship at Moore honoring my classmate and friend, Moore alumna and faculty member Debby Larkin.

Moore is a very intimate place; you know everyone. My friends here come from different backgrounds and we are joined together through an interest in art - I feel at home here. The foundation program is very unique and I believe it developed my skills far beyond my expectations.

The business scholarship I received had the most impact on me. It made me start thinking about life after I graduate. I’ll know what to expect when I go out into the real world and, thanks to Moore, I’ll have the experience to deal with whatever I encounter.

I was lucky to grow up in an environment where creativity was encouraged. I am inspired by the people and places I love.

Moore is unique to me because of the teachers and students. The faculty here are extremely dedicated to their work and more than willing to help students throughout our four years. With my fellow classmates, there are so many similarities - and differences - between us that help us get along so well, even across majors. That's what made my time here especially memorable.

During the summer of 2011, I had two internships. Half of my summer was spent in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Sketch Club. There, I did a bit of everything: I set up gallery showings and took them down, maintained receptions, aided with workshops and handled special event correspondence.

I worked at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in New York City during the second half of my summer. I had two main duties: I worked at the front desk to greet visitors, take admission, field calls, and handle merchandise sales. My other job was to organize and archive original goods and artwork that was donated to the museum, and do condition reports for each and every piece.

The internship fellowship was beneficial to me over the summer. It helped to significantly reduce the commuting costs that were required to travel back and forth between Philadelphia and New York. I don't think I would have been able to do both internships without it.